I am That

This post is about the book  I read recently - 'Atomic Habits'  by James Clear. The author lists out simple rituals to form good habits and break the vicious cycle of  bad habits . It is about mastering tiny habits which in turn produces the desired results. According to the author, winners and losers have the same goals but its the system they follow that gives the result. This book is for everyone who wants a change in their life because if we keep doing the same things, we will get the same results. My key takeaways from the book: You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity. When you fall in love with the process rather than the product, you don’t have to wait to give yourself permission to be happy. You can be satisfied any...

The book by Shunmyo Masuno is all about zen style simple living. A different perspective of day to day activities to bring peace, joy and happiness into our lives. My key takeaways from the book: ü   Make time for emptiness  ü   Wake up 15 minutes earlier ü   Savor the morning air ü   Line up your shoes when you take them off ü   Discard what you don’t need ü   Organize your desktop ü   Make a delicious cup of coffee ü   Put pen to paper with care ü   Try using a loud voice ü   Do not neglect your meals ü   When eating, pause after every bite ü   Discover the benefits of a vegetable centric diet ü   Seek out your favourite words ü   Pare down your belongings ü   Arrange your room simply ü   Try going barefoot ü   Exhale deeply ü   Sit zazen ü   Try a standing practice ü   Don’t waste time worrying about things you cannot control ü ...

I would call this book a layman’s guide to understanding the concepts in MBA. The ideas and principles are explained in such a way that even a 12-year-old can get a grasp of the contents in business administration. The author Jason Barron with his problem centric approach, presents solutions in sketches, cartoons and simple words. He definitely hits the ball out of the park. --

"The obstacle is the way” by Ryan Holiday is a book of stoic wisdom packed with interesting anecdotes and inspirations. The crux of the book is about turning your life's adversaries into your advantage. In my opinion, the author has presented the Asian religious principles and lessons in a stimulating manner for the general audience. Some of the key takeaways from the book : The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition. Think progress, not perfection. Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed—and you haven’t been. There is no good or bad without us, there is only perception. There is the event itself and the story we tell ourselves about what it means. Focus on the moment, not the monsters that may or may not be up ahead. You’re so busy thinking about the future, you don’t take any pride in the tasks you’re given right now. You just phone it a...

Key takeaways from the book : Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. When confronted with a big goal, try to break it down into parts and then attack each part one by one. Getting back to Albert Einstein, “a happy man is too satisfied with the present to dwell on the future. A donkey that is tied to a post by a rope will keep walking around the post in an attempt to free itself, only to become more immobilized and attached to the post. The same thing applies to people with obsessive thinking who become more trapped in their own suffering when they try to escape from their fears and discomfort. Sunday neurosis, for example, is what happens when, without the obligations and commitments of the workweek, the individual realizes how empty he is inside. To keep healthy and have a long life, eat just a little of everything with relish, go...

An awesome book for introverts and extroverts. I can relate to 90% of what is there in this book. The illustrations make this book an interesting quick read. If you are unsure about whether you are an introvert or extrovert, this book is a must read. I have always had the feeling that I am wrongly wired but the author made me enjoy being an introvert and cherish the way I am.

Key takeaways from the book : At the end of the day, what qualifies people to be called “leaders” is their capacity to influence others to change their behavior in order to achieve important results. Influencers use four tactics to help people love what they hate:  1. Allow for choice.  2. Create direct experiences.  3. Tell meaningful stories.  4. Make it a game.